Height of efficiency

Designed by Rachel Freeman and David Kane, Pepper Design 

From the interior designer:

Our homeowners recently relocated from Vietnam to Melbourne to build a new architecturally designed single level home with their two sons currently attending university here. 

Pepper Design was engaged to custom design a spectacular centrepiece kitchen for Vietnamese cooking and entertaining. 

As a semi-professional cook, the owner required a high degree of functionality, quality appliances, accessibility to small appliances and sufficient storage for her considerable cookware collection. 

Aesthetically elegant and organic, the kitchen utilises sustainable materials to sit harmoniously with the home's contemporary architecture and complement the owners' beautiful, handcrafted furniture pieces from Vietnam.

Design solution

• This visually stunning kitchen draws you to the centre and heart of this home.
• The lines and proportions are carefully considered to sit harmoniously within the contemporary architecture of the space and seamlessly connect with the surrounding living spaces and substantial pantry storage behind.
• Natural light has been maximised in every direction with a splashback window, skylight and soaring glass doors to the garden.
• The exotic finishes and materials invite you to interact and touch.
• Appliances and storage are positioned to function and flow with ease.
• Attention to detail with concealed uplighting above the cabinets speaks of understated luxury.
• This electronic lift island is not only practical but an absolute show piece for entertaining guests.

Materials

Joinery

• We chose a base material of wild solid oak fronts with a contemporary white oil finish, in combination with 3mm matt bronze glass and matt white glass fronts.
• All carcasses and internal joinery, drawers, inserts etc. are constructed in natural oak.
• Overhead cabinets have electronic touch lifting bifold doors with integrated flush lighting and matt glass fronts cladding the solid oak cabinets.
• Combination of matt black steel lip pull handles, knurled steel black appliance handles, push to open cabinets and smooth electronic drawers and doors throughout.
• The 2 tall appliance cabinets were custom designed in super matt black with matching roller doors and sensor lighting for the owners to access small appliances with ease and durable granite benches.

Stone

• Durable granite benches.
• We sourced the most magnificent slab of Violet Onyx natural stone for the island centrepiece with durable black granite for the rear bench and appliance cabinets.
• As our island bench was longer than the onyx slab, we utilised a slice of the black granite to make a design feature of the island join.
• The owner was very concerned about having a join in the island but is absolutely in love with how this was resolved.

Feature element

• The luxury centrepiece feature of this kitchen is the magnificent electronic lifting island benchtop in beautiful Violet Onyx stone.
• At the touch of a button (integrated in the stone) this benchtop silently lifts and lowers to a comfortable height for a variety of tasks or occasions.
• Elegantly constructed with fully concealed engineering, the island's built in sensors underneath the benchtop prevent lowering onto anything below.
• Powerpoints are also concealed in the oak joinery – accessed by a flap down cover – while electronically opening drawers access crockery.

Appliances

• Fully programmable Vzug ovens, combi steam, warming drawer and sous vide for our chef owner – with beautiful smoke glass fronts – and an induction cooktop.
• The steel sink comes with clever accessories. Billi taps for instant chilled and boiling water.
• There is also a Liebherr fully integrated wine cellar, fridge and freezer.

Sustainability

• Team7 is highly regarded as a pioneer of environmentally friendly design and one of the world’s leading providers of sustainable furnishing concepts and top-quality solid wood craftsmanship.
• Team7 has been awarded an EMAS certificate as proof of sustainable production and efficient use of resources and being an ISO-certified company – the certificate is a quality seal for sustainable premium products.

Designed by: Rachel Freeman, Pepper Design

Story by: Trendsideas

Photography by: Johnny Angel